Garage GFI required

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websparky

Senior Member
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Re: Garage GFI required

Don,

Agreed.

It is helpful at times when we would like to see what the editors and or authors had in mind.
Dave

[ August 03, 2003, 07:47 PM: Message edited by: websparky ]
 
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wildman

Senior Member
Location
Georgia
Re: Garage GFI required

newbe...by all means! You should bring this to the attention of the building dept. They will review your appeal and get back with you! If the decision is not satisfactory, you may appeal to a higher jurisdiction. Just be aware, appeals can take weeks or even months and you may not get the results you want. Adding one or two gfci breakers/receptacles may be less hectic in the long run. Also, the AHJ probably want let the power company turn the power on while you are appealing....thus delays. Food For Thought!
 
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newbe

Member
Re: Garage GFI required

Well, I installed 4 GFC outlets in the 4 lines running from the breakers.

When the GFI trips, it turns all outlets off on that line. I nearly went out and bought 15 GFI's, thankfully, I found this information haven first and got to save some money (and a few laughs from the inspector)

Everyone can now breathe a sigh of relief, this thread is nearly dead...

Have to say I learned allot here. My thanks goes out to all who helped with comments or humor, both are appreciated.

I will post the results of my questions to the Enspector tomorrow when they take a look at the work. As for now, I'm signing out and enjoying the thoughts of a nearly done project.

Bryan
 
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newbe

Member
Re: Garage GFI required

Alright! :D
I passed my inspection. So the issue regarding garages is that they require GFI(.) The "above grade" is including a second story as the inspector put it. A basement/garage which is considered below grade has the potential where water can collect and be a problem, and too, GFI required.

I did plug in my compressor to the GFI and got some chattering from it. The compressor seemed slow, so I have some investigating to do (loose wire maybe?)

Anyway,

Now for my last question. Where can I find an affordable (read- any state funded classes?)online or offline study course to become an electrician? Being unemployed, I need cheap!
Thanks for all your help...!

Bryan
 
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mike.oquinn

Member
Re: Garage GFI required

The NEC, although not admittantly written by English teachers, does know something about puncuation and its importance.

210.8(A) lists the required locations for GFCI "protection" on receptacles installed in those locations. The term "protection" means 1)at the outlet, 2)at the branch circuit OC device, 3)at a feeder OC device, or 4)at the service. If at a feeder or service location, please be sure the receptacles are protected by GFCIs and not ground-fault protection for equipment (GPE), covered in 230.95. See definitions in Article 100.

210.8(A)(2) uses puncuation (a comma ",") to declare its intent, requiring GFCI protection for receptacles located in both:
1) garages, defined in Article 100 as storage places for "self-propelled vehicles"
2) "accessory buildings", intended as something you might purchase at Home Depot in the garden section - definitely not for storing cars.

This means:
A) ALL garages, regardless of attached, detached, at/below/above grade level must have all receptacles GFCI protected
B) "Accessory buildings"
1. At or below grade level (because of the shock-hazard when in contact with earth), AND
2. With no habital rooms, limited to storage/work/simular use (otherwise this would be part of the "Dwelling", such as a bedroom)
...must have GFCI protection

The 2 Exceptions exempt GFCI protection for receptacles in garages and "accessory buildings" when:
1. They are not readily accesible (over 7-1/2') - this would apply to the lighting "receptacles" mentioned earlier in the ceiling, as well as the normal garage-door opener.
2. They connect to "dedicated equipment" - normally thought of in a garage as the washing machine
 
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dogcircuit

Member
Re: Garage GFI required

This is not a reply to the garage GFCI protection issue but can anyone tell me if there is a minimum height requirment for the garage receptacles in either the NEC or the UBC ?????
 
ryan_618

ryan_618

Senior Member
Location
Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: Garage GFI required

I am probably going to get tattooed for this reply, but I say no, there is not. Article 500 addresses this for commercial garages only. I can promise you that if you put them under 18" you WILL have an inspector give you havoc about it. I have argued this several times.
 
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inspector_guy

Member
Re: Garage GFI required

I am just a humble home inspector. I don't do code enforcement, but I advise all of my clients that a GFCI protection plan for recept. in the kitchen, batrooms, garage, and any exterior outlets is well worth every penny. I bring a GFCI outlet with me to show them during the inspection because many people have never heard of them. I also relate to them how one saved my life many years ago when I was doing some remodeling work and a water line sprayed me while I was using a drill (the cord was plugged into a GFCI outlet that I had installed earlier in the job). I am not a master electrician and I don't claim to be, but the GFCI protecting the outlets downstream or a GFCI breaker both sound like the economical solutions to your problem. One question, what set of Codes does California use? Here in Louisiana, the National Building Code and Southern Building Code dominate, and they require GFCI receptacles for any outlet within three feet of water and in a garage/carport area-attached or detacted. If I'm wrong about that, somebody let me know. Thanks, Joe B., Chief Inspector for All Around the House Home Inspections, Inc.
 
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